Winding mechanism for time-clock stamps



July 1, 1930. F. H. wens: I ,7

WINDING IECILANISI FOR HIS CLOCK STAIPS Filed Feb. 12, 192'! 2 Shuts-Shut 1 Mrc'c/fHZzzense July 1,1930. F. H. LUENSE WINDING MECHANISM FOR TIME CLOCK STAIPS Filed Feb. 12, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 1, 1930 PATENT OFFICE FREDERICK H. LUENsnQor CHICAGO, ILLINOIS WINDING MECHANISM FOR TIME-CLOCK STAMPS Application filed February 12,1927. Serial No. 167,637.

My invention relates to time stamps. It relates more particularly to stamps controlled by clock mechanisms, in whichthe driving spring thereof is wound by the stamping ever.

One of the objects of my invention is to produce an improved and simplified time stamp.

Another object is to wind the clock spring of such a stamp automatically so that during operation it will always have substantially the same tension.

Another object is to provide a time stamp in which the clock mechanism spring is wound automatically but can also be wound by hand.

Another object is to prevent over-winding of the time stamp clock spring.

Other objects and features will appear from the detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation part1 in section, of one form of time stamp em odying the features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3. Fig. 2;

Fig. dis a section on line 44 of Fig. 3, showing the clock spring in elevation, and

Fig. 5 is a View, partially in section, of a modified form of spring winding means.

Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, relate to clocks in whic i the spring drum unwinds in thesame direction in which it is wound up. This is the usual arrangement in the better clock mechanisms, and represents the kind of clock mechanism which would probably be used in mostcases. Fig. 5 shows the invention ap-v plied to a clock in which the driving spring unwinds in a direction opposite to that in which it is wound. This is for illustrative purposes only, as either may be employed independent of the type of clock mechanism.

In accomplishing the invention a ratchet wheel is provided on the winding arbor of the clock mechanism drivin spring, and a spring pressed pawl is adapte to engage and drive the ratchet wheel to wind the spring. The

is a sectional view on line 3--3 of stamping lever has an operable resilient connection with the spring pressed pawl, so that each operation of the stamping lever is adapted to increase the spring tension slightly. WVhen the spring is 'tensioned a predetermined amount, the resilient portion of the winding mechanism lengthens sufliciently to prevent further winding of the clock spring, until the tension thereof has been decreased. The main embodiment will be described first in the drawings the conventional portions of the stamp and clock mechanism are shown somewhat diagrammatically since the present invention does not necessarily contemplate modifying them. The stamp has the usual outer casing or housing 10 with a suitable clock mechanism 11, adjustable type 12, and a driving connection 13 from the clock mechanism to the time stamping or adjustable type. A dial face 14 is provided in the top of the housing, and the usual clock hands 16 on the dial face are also driven by driving connection 13 through head gearing 15. Any usual provision for inking or other wise fitting type 12 for recording time, etc. is provided and a stamping lever 17 provides the necessary impressing force when a hand knob 18 is engaged and depressed. The lever is pivoted to a transverse pin 19, and is equipped with an end extension 21 the purpose of which will be hereinafter described.

Clock mechanism 11 is mounted between transverse vertical mounting plates 22 and 23 which may constitute integral parts of housing 10 or may be separable therefrom. The portions of the clock mechanism which might be considered requisite to understand the present invention are the spring winding arbor 24, shown as a shaft to which main spring 25 has its inner end secured. Keyed or otherwise fixed to the arbor is a ratchet wheel 26 havin in engagement therewith a pawl 27 pressed by a spring 28 against the ratchet wheel. This ratchet and pawl retain the tension of the spring, and have a function to perform during the winding operation which will be described.

, The outside end of the main spring is socured to spring drum 29, a pin 31 on the outside of the drum effecting the connection.

spur gear 32 formed integral with the drum meshes Wlill a lar gear 33 which mounted on connectii I iaft 13. The train of gears to the escapement nechanism, and the escapement itself are n t shown, but the train of gears is from spriag gear 32.

Outline of the rear mounting plate a winding r tchet wheel is secured to the winding 0 A bifurcated recipr-ocable lever 35 is rotatably mounted on the arbor, with one of its bifurcations on each side of the winding ratchet. A pawl 36 is pivotally secured between the biturcations of the lever on a mounting pin 37, and is urged against the iatchet wheel by a spring 38. A tension ion of the stamping lever. The .ower can hook of the spring is secured di rectly in an ap rture in the pawl carrying lever. while the upper hook is linked to a screw eye ll. Screw eye il extends upwardly into a vertical bore in the stamping lever end extension, and s secured tnerein by a thumb nut 2. By this means the length of the connect on and th tens )ll of spring 39 between the pawl carrying lever and the stamping lever is adjust Thus the extent ed. LO which the m ii mg spi mg is wound may be varied. For instance, a stamp may be used freely throughou each day 111 which case less ion of the driving spring is required than wiiere a stamp may be used less, as for eX ample a day or two apart.

t 1 q t. -J- Ht 1 .-o re-.u1.1 lQbLwi1.i/1.1 rev cl onoima p0 atter operat; a ens n spring i3 is In the drawing it is shown conected between the pawl lever and the base 10. In this position it not only stamping lever to normal posiheen the spring wmd .i in

it conceivable that it may be desirable to wind the clock spring by hand. To facilitate such an operation the end 44 of the arbor is termed angularly. and the housing or adjacent thereto has a .v opening 4-5 suitably designed hey projected at the lie opening will arbor. and the clock I g and are providold together in telcscoped relation by a The lower end of member 52 is 'n a guide and the upper one of ine telescoping members has a threaded port of smaller diameter. extending of the stamping lever and through the end secured tiereto b a thumb nut 'ich may .h ot the be adjusted to Y e eii'ective connection between the stamping lever and the clot-.1 mechanism. well as the normal tension of spring 53 to determine, as in the previous embodiment, the extent to which the spring 25 is wound.

A pawl 58 is mounted on member 52 an d is pressed toward a ratchet wheel 57 by a spring spring. lVhen the clock spring tension greater thanthe strength of spring 53 the telescoping members will slide a artslightly at each operation of the stamping lever, until such time as the clock spring has become sufficiently unwound so that spring 53 can again hold the telescoping members together.

In this embodiment a separate spring or other suitable means (not shown) is provided to return the stamping lever. The other portions of the mechanism may be the same in the embodiment previously described.

In Fig. 5 the parts similar to those shown in the other figures, bear the same reference characters.

In the operation of the time stamp the paper or other article to be stamped is placed between the type and the type engaging end of the stamping lever. The lever is depressed and the paper stamped in the usual way. Concomitantly the end extension of the lever is raiser and the winding ratchet operated through the connecting spring and other mechanism. At each-depression of the stamping lever the spring is wound slightly, until the tension of the clock spring overcomes the ratchet operating spring, when the movement of the winding ratchet will not be sufiicient to move the spring arbor a distance represented by one tooth on the tension retaining ratchet and the clock spring is not wound any further.

The drawings show the tension retaining ratchet wheel furnished with fewer teeth than the winding ratchet wheel. This means that the retaining ratchet wheel will have largerteeth than the winding ratchet wheel, or be smaller in size, so that one tooth represents a greater part of the circular are. This const-ruction is optional. as good results can be obtained it the number of teeth is the same.

With my improved self winding stamp the clocl: mechanism is always running, and there is no necessity of attempting to remember to wind the clock. It does everything that electrically wound stamps do. but is much more economical. Furthermore, it is easily portable. since it does not have the cord. concomitant to electrical clocks, and which makes it necessary to keep such clocks more or less permanently in one position. Furthermore. since the spring has practically constant tension. a clock mechanism of more simple and durable construction can be used, since it is Cal not necessary for it to be so nicely balanced.

I do not wish to limit myself to any of the details previously described, but what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In a time stamp, a clock mechanism having an operating spring mounted upon a winding arbor, a ratchet wheel secured to said arbor, a pair of telescoping members having a spring connection therebetween, a ratchet wheel engaging pawl on one of said members, a pivoted stamping lever having an end extension beyond the pivot point thereof, and an adjustable connection between said extension and one of the telescoping members.

2. In a time stamp of the character described, a spring operated clock mechanism, type controlled and set in printing position by said clock mechanism, a horizontal lever with a horizontal pivot intermediate the ends thereof so as a result in atype impressing stamping lever adapted to be pressed downwardly to make an impression and a rear spring winding extension adapted to be raised upwardly in response to the impressing of said stamping lever, a resilient connection from said lever extension to said clock mechanism to wind the spring and at the same time prevent overwinding thereof due to the resilient character of the connection, and means for regulating the tension of said resilient connection thereby to govern the tension to which the clock spring will be woundl 3. In a time stamp of the character described, a spring operated clock mechanism, type controlled and set in printing position by said clock mechanism, a horizontal lever with a horizontal pivot intermediate the ends thereof so as to result in a type impressing stamping lever adapted to be pressed downwardly to make an lmpression anda rear spring winding extension adapted to be raised upwardly in response to the impressing of said stamping lever, a lever having a connection to wind the clock mechanism, a coil spring secured to said lever and having a threaded pin at the other end thereof, said threaded pin extending through a vertical aperture in the end of the stamping lever extension, and a thumb nut on said threaded pin adapted to be turned to regulate the tension of said spring. d a

4. In a time stamp of the character scribed, a spring operated clock mechanism having the usual main spring with a drum housing therefor, and an arbor extending through the center thereof, the ends of the spring being connected to said drum and arbor. a plurality of type wheels, a connection from the movable drum to the type wheels to drive and set the same in printing position in accordance with the time of day, a pawl stopped ratchet wheel on said arbor, a second ratchet wheel on said arbor, a lever having one end thereof loosely secured to said arbor, a pawl on said lever engaging said second ratchet wheel, a horizontal stamping lever with a horizontal pivot intermediate the ends thereof so as to result in a type impressing stamping lever, and a rear extension therefrom, and a resilient connection between said lever and said stamping lever extension.

5. In a time stamp of the character described, a spring operated clock mechanism having the usual main spring with a drum housing therefor, and an arbor extending through the center thereof, the ends of the spring being connected to said drum and arbor,"a plurality of type wheels, a connection from the movable drum to the type wheels to drive and set the same in printing position in accordance with the time of day, a pawl stopped ratchet wheel on said arbor, a second ratchet wheel on said arbor, a lever having one end thereof loosely secured to said arbor, a pawl on said lever engaging said second ratchet wheel, a horizontal stamping lever with a horizontal pivot intermediate the ends thereof so as to result in a type impressing stamping lever, and a rear extension therefrom, a spring having one end secured to said lever and the other end secured to a threaded pin, said threaded pin extending through a vertical opening in said stamping lever extension, and a thumb nut secured to said threaded pin adapted to be turned to control the tension of said spring.

6. In a time stamp of the character described, a spring operated clock mechanism having the usual main spring with a drum housing therefor, and an arbor extending through the center thereof, the ends of the spring being connected to said drum and arbor, a plurality of type wheels, a connection from the movable drum to the type wheels to drive and set the same in printing position in accordance with the time of day, a pawl stopped ratchet wheel on said arbor having relatively few teeth, a second ratchet Wheel on said arbor having a greater number of teeth, a lever having one end thereof loosely secured to said arbor, a pawl on said second ratchet wheel, a horizontal stamping lever with a horizontal pivot intermediate the ends thereof so as to result in a type impressing stamping lever, and a rear extension therefrom, and a resilient connection between said lever and said stamping lever extension.

7. In a time stamp, a clock mechanism having a winding arbor, an operating spring mounted thereon, a ratchet wheel secured on the winding arbor, a reciprocable lever loosely pivoted on said arbor, a spring pressed pawl on said lever engaging said ratchet wheel, a pivoted stamping lever having an end extension beyond the pivot point thereof, a resilient connection between said extension and reciprocable lever for winding said arbor spring when the stamping lever is operated;

and a ratchet and pawl associated With the winding arbor for maintaining the same in Wound condition When the reciprocable lever is Withdrawn, said Winding ratchet having a number of teeth different from the number on the tension maintaining ratchet.

In Witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 8th day of February, 1927. FREDERICK H. LUENSE. 

